Saturday, July 7, 2012

A bill declaring as a criminal act the illegal titling of public waterways has been filed at the House of Representatives.

House
Bill 3436, authored principally by Rizal Rep. Joel Roy Duavit, imposes
six months to 12 years imprisonment for the titling, appropriation,
encroachment and registration of creeks, esteros, streams, canals, river
banks and other public waterways.

“Urban centers have become so
crowded that every available space is being encroached upon and titled
to the extent that even canals, streams and esteros are being filled up
and built over, regardless of the fact that these are properties of the
State, alienable, and acquisition thereof is fraudulent,” Duavit said.

Duavit
added the bill to prevent or curtail the prevalent anomalous acts of
titling, appropriation, encroachment and/or registration of esteros,
creeks, canals, streams, and other public waterways is consistent with
public order and in furtherance of national interest..... MORE